New Leadership Video: Strengthening Well-Being to Lead Through Complexity
Leading for better results has never been simple. Today’s leaders are navigating uncertainty, responding to constant change and balancing the needs of staff, partners and communities — often while managing their own stress.
When pressure becomes chronic, it can affect more than our health. It can make it harder to think clearly, build relationships, solve problems and stay focused on the results we hope to achieve.
A new four-minute video on the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Results Count® approach explores a simple but powerful idea: Well-being is essential to effective leadership.
Why Well-Being Matters
Well-being is more than feeling good. It is the ability to remain grounded, connected and purposeful, even during difficult moments. “In these uncertain times, we need steady leaders focused on outcomes for children and families,” says Barbara Squires, director of Leadership Development at the Foundation. “Because we know that ‘to do well, you need to be well,’ our Results Count work now includes supporting leaders to pay attention to their own well-being, and the well-being of their organizations.”
Leaders who prioritize well-being are better equipped to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically. They are more likely to build trusting relationships, navigate complexity and create environments where teams can learn and thrive.
Understanding Our Stress Responses
Claudia Horwitz, a Results Count faculty member and narrator of the video, introduces practical strategies that leaders can use to strengthen their own well-being while supporting the well-being of their teams. “It’s important for everyone to understand that stress is a normal part of leadership and life,” Horwitz says. “In fact, our bodies are designed to help us respond to challenges, as long as the stress is temporary.”
Learn more about Results Count
But when stress becomes constant, it can narrow our thinking and make collaboration more difficult.
The video introduces Dan Siegel’s concept of the Window of Tolerance — a state in which we are calm enough to think clearly, regulate our emotions and stay connected to others, even when facing uncertainty.
It also explores four common stress responses that can emerge when we move outside that window:
- fight, which may appear as defensiveness or conflict;
- flight, which can look like overwork or avoidance;
- freeze, which may lead to withdrawal or indecision; and
- fawn, which often shows up as people-pleasing instead of honest conversation.
Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward responding more intentionally.
Simple Practices That Make a Difference
The good news is that small, intentional practices can help leaders return to a place of balance.
The video shares several strategies, including:
- practicing slow, deep breathing to calm the body’s stress response;
- connecting with trusted colleagues, friends or family members;
- moving your body to reduce stress and improve focus; and
- bringing attention to the present moment through mindful awareness.
These practices aren’t just valuable for individuals. Teams can also build habits that support collective well-being, such as taking structured pauses during challenging work, creating space for reflection and acknowledging how people are experiencing stressful situations.
Well-being is not about avoiding difficult work. It is about building the capacity to meet challenges with clarity, resilience and purpose.
